POLICE in Skipton are asking for witnesses and information following an alleged incident involving an 11 year old girl and an unknown man.

It happened at around 3.30pm yesterday (Tuesday) when the girl was walking home from school through Skipton.

The girl, who was with a friend, went to put some rubbish in the bin nearest to the Cock and Bottle pub on Swadford Street - opposite Sports Direct - when an unknown man allegedly approached her, smiled, said "hi", passed her a piece of paper with a number written on and added: "phone me".

The man then crossed the road and left the girl with her friend.

The girl immediately walked to the home of a family member and informed him what had happened.

The man is described as black, aged in his 30s, clean shaven, approximately 5ft10 tall, of slim build with dark short afro hair. He was wearing dark clothing and a backpack.

Officers are treating the incident as suspicious and are conducting inquiries to establish the exact nature of the incident.

Police say such incidents are rare, but parents are being advised to reiterate stranger danger advice to their children:

Never go anywhere with a stranger, never take things from a stranger, never get in a car with a stranger, and never go off on own.

Police are asking for anyone who may have witnessed the incident, or who saw a man of the above description in the area at the time, to get in touch.

Anyone with any information is asked to contact North Yorkshire Police on 101 and pass information to the Force Control Room, or anonymously, to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. Quote reference 12180109296 when passing on information.